CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD

  The name Lafite comes from the Gascon language term "la hite", which means "hillock". There were probably already vineyards on the property at the time when the Ségur family organised the vineyard in the 17th century, and Lafite began to earn its reputation as a great winemaking estate. Jacques de Ségur is credited with the planting of the Lafite vineyard in the 1670's and in the early 1680's. In 1695, Jacques de Ségur's heir, Alexandre, married the heiress of Château Latour, and they gave birth to Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur. The fiefs of Lafite and Latour were thus unified at the beginning of their estate legacy. Beginning in 1716, Maquis de Ségur would consolidate Lafite's initial successes. He improved the winemaking techniques and above all enhanced the prestige of fine wines in foreign markets and the Versailles court. He became known as "The Wine Prince", and Lafite's wine became "The King's Wine", with the support of the Marechal de Richelieu. The Marquis did not have any sons, and his property was divided between his four daughters Lafite was thus separated form Latour, despite its remaining in the family and being governed by the same steward until 1785. After the French Revolion in 1789, the Château was sold a to Dutch winemerchant. In 1868, Baron James de Rothschild purchased Château Lafite, since then, five generations have owned the estate.

CHÂTEAU LATOUR

    When one evokes the name Château Latour, one immediately thinks of a fortified tower built on the banks of an estuary overlooking the water, the vines and the marshes. This tower really did exist and a glorious past is attached to it. The Tower of Saint-Lambert was propably built during the 14th century. In 1378, Château Latour "en Saint-Maubert", called later Château La Tour and then Château Latour, entered the annals of history. The existing tower, which has nothing to do with the orginal one, did not give its name to the vineyard. This tower is indeed a pigeon house. It would appear that the domaine of Latour remained under joint ownership until the end of the sixteenth century. By the end of the 16th century the proprietors had been reduced to a family called Mullet. At the end of the 17th century, after a succession of sales, the Latour estate became the property of the Ségur family. it is in 1718 with the Marquis de Ségur, that the great History of the vineyard starts. "The Prince of Vines" increased the family holding with the acquisition of Mouton (Rothschild) and Calon (Ségur). During the first half of the 18th, the land of Latour was run in accordance with the possibilities given by the other vineyards of the De Ségur. But at the death of th Marquis, Latour received the necessary care and investment it required and started to develop its full potential, and then to be highly recognized around the world, thanks to the reconquest of the British market. The reputation of Château Latour was consolidated during the 19th century, classified as First Growth in 1855. In 1963, the heirs of the Marquis de Ségur sold 75% of the Château Latour shares; the new shareholders became "Harveys of Bristol", and "Hallminster ltd", both British Companies. In 1989, Allied Lyons, already owner of 25% of the shares, bought Pearson's as well as those remaining in the hands of some individual owners, and thus became the majority shareolder. In July 1993, Allied Lyons decided to sell their shares to François PINAULT. Entrepreneur and Businessman, Mr Pinault finally brought Château Latour back into french hands.

CHÂTEAU MARGAUX

  It was already known in the 12th century and at that time had the name "La Mothe de Margaux" but there were not yet any vines. By the end of the 17th century, Château Margaux covered 265 hectares (654 acres), a surface area which it never abandoned thereafter. In 1705, the London Gazette offered the first sale of a great Bordeaux wines: 230 barrels of "Margoose". It was at the beginning of the 18th century that the great wines of Bordeaux started their rise to fame, and an informal classification was established. The French Revolution brought this golden century for Bordeaux to an end. Châtea Margaux was sold by the revolutionaries by auction as National Property. Laure de Fumel bought the estate. She was the last descendant of the Lestonnac, Pontac and Audèle families, all of whom were related and who had carefully watched over Margaux for three centuries. The new purchaser in 1801, Bertrand Drouat, built in place of the gothic manor, the residence that we admire today. In the classification of 1855, only four growths were ranked "First Great Classified Growth" and Margaux was the only one to be marked 20 out of 20. It is in 1977 that André Mentzelopoulos bought Margaux to Pierre and Bernard Ginestet. He died in 1980, too young and too quickly for him to be able to enjoy the revival of his château Margaux. His daughter, Corinne immediately took passionately to the cause of Margaux. Since 1993, Paul Pontallier has been administring the estate.

CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD

   Château Mouton Rothschild, a Premier Cru Classé from the Bordeaux region and one of the world's greatest wines, is owned by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, daughter of the legendary Baron Philippe. The estate includes 205 acres of vines at Pauillac planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (11%), Cabernet Franc (10%), and Petit Verdot (2%). It benefits from exceptionally good natural conditions, both in the quality of the soil and the situation of its vines and their exposure to the sun. From the grape to the bottle, Château Mouton Rothschild receives meticulous attention to detail, combining a respect for tradition with the latest techniques. Harvesting is carried out by hand, and the wine is matured in new oak casks. In 1853, Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, a member of the English branch of the family, bought Château Brane Mouton and renamed it Château Mouton Rothschild. In 1922, his great-grandson Baron Philippe de Rothschild (1902-1988)), decided to take the future of the estate into his own hands. 1945, Victory year, marked the start of a fascinating collection of works of art, created every year for the Mouton label by famous painters. In 1973, after twenty-year battle, Baron Philippe de Rothschild obtained a revision of the 1855 classification and Mouton was officially recognised as a First Growth. In 1988, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild succeeded her father Baron Philippe.

CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC

   The present-day Cheval Blanc vineyards had vines at least as far back as the 18th century, as shown by Belleyme's map of the region dated 1764. The vineyard is in a single block, and borders on the Pomerol appellation. An outstanding terroir and unusual proportions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot give this great wine an absolutely unique flavour. Chateau Cheval Blanc has had a greater number of outstanding vintages than any other classified great growth over the past century. Another unusual characteristic of Cheval Blanc is that once it reaches its peak, it maintains it for a very long time. This admirable wine is powerful, soft, rich, round and silky. It has tremendous fruit and elegance as well as exceptional quality from year to year.

Qualifications 

The best Bordeaux vintages of the last 25 years are; 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996, and 2000.

Vintage Records

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